Three Reasons To Have Your AC System Service Before It Breaks Down
It may be tempting to run your air conditioner until it breaks down, but there are reasons why you should not do this. Ideally, you want to have your AC unit serviced once a year, and then call for repairs at the first sign of a problem. Anything short of this and you can have major problems. The following are three reasons to not put off servicing your AC.
To avoid a potential fire hazard
One problem that affects homeowners every year, especially during peak usage during the summer, is their air conditioner catching fire. There are many reasons for this to happen. The unit can simply overheat because the fan stops working. Or the motor can overheat for any number of reasons. The temperature in the wires can then rise above the operating temperature. This can cause the insulation to melt, and lead to a fire. Sometimes the fire is limited to the air conditioner, but it can spread depending upon the amount of flammable material nearby. Although this type of fire can happen to any AC unit, it is more likely to occur in a neglected AC unit.
To avoid health problems
Waiting for an AC unit to break down before having your unit serviced can also create health issues. The biggest issue is with mold spores. There is a lot of condensation that will be produced in the summer months. Without the unit being cleaned, during the colder months, mold can begin to grow. The spores can easily be carried through the ducts to every room in the house. In addition, dust and dirt can build up in your unit, and this too can be carried through the vent system and aggravate people with allergies.
To avoid running up your electric bill
If your air conditioner is not operating in peak condition, it will likely mean a higher electric bill. It could be from something simple like your thermostat not working properly. The AC doesn't should off soon enough. Or it could be that your system needs more Freon, and this results in the air not being as cold as it should be. Because of this, the AC stays on much longer to get the rooms to cool down. The problem is that you may not realize you have a problem until you notice your electric bills going up. The amount of additional money you end up spending on your utility bill could easily be more than having your unit serviced.
The reasons listed above should give you plenty of motivation to have your air condition system serviced once a year. On top of preventing problems, annual maintenance will extend the life of your AC unit. Visit a site like http://www.coeheatcool.com for more help.
